Oct 22, 2010 the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 is an influential treatise on naval warfare written in 1890 by alfred thayer mahan. Apr 17, 2012 the first and most obvious light in which the sea presents itself from the political and social point of view is that of a great highway. Alfred thayer mahan was born on september 27, 1840 at west point, new york, where his father was a professor of civil and military engineering at the u. The classic exposition of the role of sea power as the basis of national power and greatness was alfred thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890. The definite object proposed in this work is an examination of the general history of europe and america with particular reference to the effect of sea power upon the course of that history. In 1890, captain alfred thayer mahan, a lecturer in naval history and the president of the united states naval war college, published the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, a revolutionary analysis of the importance of naval power as a factor in the rise of the british empire. The influence of sea power upon history flashcards quizlet. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 is an influential. The influence of sea power upon history by alfred thayer mahan. Measured in terms of a nations capacity to use the seas in defiance of rivals and competitors, it consists of such diverse elements as combat craft and weapons, auxiliary craft, commercial shipping, bases, and trained personnel. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the influence of sea power upon history, 1660 1783. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The influence of sea power upon history by alfred thayer mahan and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. This excerpt is from alfred thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon history.
In 1890, mahan published one of the most important books of the age, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. The was transferred to ellen lyle mahan in 1918 which eventually fell to the publisher who has published twelve editions of this book. The influence of the government will be felt in its most. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 alfred. In this book he argued for the paramount importance of. He graduated from the naval academy in 1859 and embarked on a nearly 40year naval career seeing duty in the south atlantic and gulf of mexico against the confederacy. Mahan thought the countries with sea power were the great nations of history. An absolute must read for history and political science students. In 1890, he published the influence of sea power upon history, 1660. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 is an influential treatise on naval warfare written in 1890 by alfred thayer mahan. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 work by mahan. Young mahan spent his early years at west point, until he was sent to a boarding school in maryland, st. Maritime war in north america and west indies, 17781781.
The influence of sea power upon history, 1660 1783 by. Alfred thayer mahan 18401914 was an american naval officer and lecturer. The influence of sea power upon american history 1660 1873. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Military academy at west point, but mahan graduated. Alfred thayer mahan s at the time of original publication mahan was a captain the influence of sea power upon history was and perhaps remains, the single most influential book ever written by an american. In 1890, mahan published his book, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. Kaiser wilhelm is said to have devoured this book, and it was avidly read by presidents including both roosevelts, kings, prime ministers, admirals, and chancellors. It details the role of sea power during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and discusses the various factors needed to support and achieve sea power, with emphasis on having the largest and most powerful fleet.
The influence of sea power upon the french revolution and empire, 17931812 2 vols. Alfred thayer mahan 18401914 served in the civil war and twice served as the president of the united states naval war college, beginning shortly after the college was founded. Aircraft used in the control of seaborne transportation function as an instrument of sea. In 1890, captain alfred thayer mahan, a lecturer in naval history and the. The government by its policy can favor the natural growth of a peoples industries and its tendencies to seek adventure and gain by way of the sea.
He died in washington, dc on 1 december 1914, and is buried at quogue, long island. The worlds fair of 1893 was a prominent display of american superiority which inflated the heads of expansionists. While perhaps not as well known as books like the communist manifesto or the republic, captain alfred thayer mahan s the influence of sea power upon history changed the course of naval history. Influence sea power upon history 1660 1783, first edition. Mahan s thesis that for an nation to be great it had to be a sea power was immensely influential in the growth of the german navy prior to world war 1 and the expansion of the us into overseas areas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Influence of sea power upon history 16601783 abridged and influence of sea power upon the french revolution 17931812 excerpts. Book cover of the 12th edition of thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890. Cause and effect alfred mahan was an admiral in the us navy who wrote the influence of the power of the sea. It is said that it sold more copies on military theory than all of its predecessors including clausewitz combined. Mahan became known as one of the leading spokesmen for the age of american imperialism.
After the book s publication, the us navy would expand to be the 3rd largest in the world. The influence of sea power upon history wikisource, the. Excerpts from the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890 by alfred thayer mahan first, in peace. Alfred thayer mahan was an advocate for sea power and western imperialism. In alfred thayer mahan his college lectures as the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. Hc this excerpt is from alfred thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon history. Consider by scholars as the single most influential book in naval strategy, alfred thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon history. Understand it is part of officer training required reading. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 presents the argument that, despite great changes and scientific advances in naval weaponry, certain principles of naval strategy remain constant. Buy the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by alfred thayer mahan isbn. The geopolitical vision of alfred thayer mahan the diplomat. In addition to his books on the history of naval warfare. Alfred thayer mahan september 27, 1840december 1, 1914 was a us navy flag officer, geostrategist, and historian.
Mahans scholarly effort, in preparation for a teaching assignment at the naval war. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 dover military history, weapons, armor by a. Having therefore no foreign establishments, either colonial or military, the ships of war of the united states, in war, will be like land birds, unable to fly far from their own shores. It details the role of sea power throughout history and discusses the various factors needed to support a strong navy. With the help of alfred thayer mahan, the influence of sea power upon history, and the new manifest destiny, the annexation of hawaii was completed. Alfred thayer mahan, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 boston. This edition includes major parts of two books by renowned naval historian alfred thayer mahan, along with an introduction by antony preston. Books by alfred thayer mahan author of the influence of sea. Excerpted from the influence of sea power upon history on wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Hc this excerpt is from alfred thayer mahans the influence.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 dover military history, weapons, armor by mahan, a. It was written for the purpose of changing american attitudes towards modernizing its navy. The influence of sea power upon history 16601783 by alfred. The book s first was in 1890 by alfred thayer mahan. This highly influential volume, first published in 1890, contains. How influential was the influence of sea power upon history. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 12th. This is one of those unknown enormously influential books in history. A book that made the case for a strong american navy and island outposts to protect and serve our ships. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 alfred thayer mahan first, in peace. How did alfred thayer mahan s the influence of sea power upon history shape american foreign policy in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by.
The younger mahan, however, attended annapolis and embarked on a naval career seeing duty in the south atlantic and gulf of mexico against the confederacy. Have heard about this book for years, especially when on exchange duty with the united states navy. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 kindle edition by mahan, a. Book details, the influence of sea power upon history. Alfred thayer mahans at the time of original publication mahan was a captain the influence of sea power upon history was and perhaps remains, the single most influential book ever written by an american. Have read and reread the book, its suprising that it takes an american naval captain to encapsulate british royal naval history.
Terms in this set 17 alfred thayer mahans the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 dover. Excerpts from the influence of sea power upon history. America at the time, did not have any defense forces across the caribbean or the pacific. Mahans thesis that for an nation to be great it had to be a sea power was immensely influential in the growth of the german navy prior to world war 1 and the expansion of the us into overseas areas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Alfred mahans exceptional examination of naval military forces and their growing significance and sway in the colonial era of empire, remains unrivalled for its allencompassing approach to the growth. The influence of sea power upon american history 1660 1873 by. In 1890, mahan published one of the most important books of the age, the influence of. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. This excerpt is from alfred thayer mahans the influence. It details the role of sea power during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and discussed the various factors needed to support and achieve sea power, with emphasis on having the largest and most powerful fleet. Sea power, means by which a nation extends its military power onto the seas.
The influence of sea power upon american history 16601873 by alfred thayer mahan helped justify the colonization across many spectrums. Beginning in the time of alexander the great, those nations with strong commercial and military command of the seas were the nations of greatest. The influence of sea power upon history, 1660 1783 ebook written by alfred t. Alfred thayer mahan was born on 27 september 1840 at west point, new york, where his father, dennis hart mahan, was a distinguished professor of civil and military engineering at the us military academy. The influence of sea power upon history 16601783 by. Mahans lectures, based on secondary sources and the military theories of jomini, became his seapower studies. His most prominent work, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, had a widespread impact on navies around the world. Mahan wanted to be able to compete with powerful european countries. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 epub. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 dover military history, weapons, armor mahan, a. How influential was the influence of sea power upon. Sep 11, 20 open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published.
The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 ebook. Mahans lecture notes become the basis for his book, the influence of sea power upon history, published in 1890. Alfred thayer mahan introduction alfred thayer mahans study of history led him to strongly believe that a nations sea power determined its economic wealth and international prominence. The naval officer in question is alfred thayer mahan 18401914 who, in 1890, published the results of his extensive study of history, the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783. Influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 illustrated. Although not as well known, the influence of sea power upon history, written by captain alfred thayer mahan and published in 1890, was a groundbreaking study that explained how the british empire. His book the influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 1890 won immediate recognition, especially in europe, and with its successor, the influence of sea power upon. Buy influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by alfred thayer mahan isbn. September 27, 1840 december 1, 1914 was a united states naval officer and historian, whom john keegan called the most important american strategist of the nineteenth century.
The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783, alfred thayer mahan, library of alexandria. This illustrated edition of influence of sea power upon history is complete with the original tables and battle maps, permitting readers utmost comprehension of the naval engagements described. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 ebook written by alfred thayer mahan. The influence of sea power upon history, 16601783 by alfred thayer mahan, 1918, little, brown edition, 12th ed. The drive for new markets and desire to civilize our neighbors fueled american oversea expansion. For its time it was a tremendous success and extremely influential for most all large navies.